About Steve

Steve has always loved cars and the bush. His first cars were a Fiat and a Land Rover. He had them both at University in 1976-78! His first business was a ute and trailer hire company. He computerised it and turned it into a national van hire company with its own booking office overseas. The business now hires out large fleets. Steve sold this in 2017.

Steve is a really passionate teacher. He taught Physics, Science and Geography at The Scots School Bathurst, (now Scots All Saints College) from 1986-99. He was Physics Master, Housemaster, Development Officer, Chairman Bathurst Celebrates Committee and  President of the Old Boys Association while there.

Each year Steve’s students obtained marks in the top ten in the NSW State Higher School Certificate Physics results. Steve also arranged for the Governor of NSW to arrive on Steam Train 3801 the School’s Jubilee Celebrations in March 1996.  The celebrations included a Freedom of Entry March, a Highland Gathering, School 50th Celebration Scottish Carnival, Governor’s Reception and many other events. He inspired and chaired the arrangements for these events when employed part-time as The Scots School’s Development Officer.

Initially, Steve trained as a Maritime Officer and Public Relations Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He obtained a Bachelor Degree (Physics and Psychology) and is licenced to drive ships. He was Navigator of the surveyship HMAS Morseby before becoming Deputy Director of the Marine Science Force. During this time he coordinated arrangements between Navy and the CSIRO.

Steve has organised many events nationally and internationally both in the Navy and since. His passion for 4×4 travel has never diminished. He has worn out many Land Rovers, but still uses his trusty original Engel fridge from 1982. He has lived in 5 states in Australia. He has explored every off road track he could find. He is always on the move enjoying adventures in remote regions. When in business, Steve’s office was a Land Rover for 21 years!

The adjoining pictures are from trips Steve has organised and led. There is a picture from a hut up in the high country. Some are from the Land Rover 75 Year Trans-Australia Expedition. Steve led a party of ten Land Rovers on a 7000km journey in 2023. The group of Land Rovers crossed Australia from Cape Byron NSW to Steep Point WA over three weeks in April -May 2023. It was a 7,000km trip – one way – via the Simpson Desert and the Gunbarrell Highway across the Gibson Desert. They crossed Australia at its widest.

Steve longest single off-road trip was 25,200km long. On that journey Steve drove solo for 2000km along the remote Canning Stock Route crossing central deserts before exploring tropical northern regions. Tracks travelled included the Gunbarrel Highway, Gibb River Road, Mitchell Plateau to Port Warrender, Carson River Track, across The Top to Cairns, the CREB Track, Cape Melville, Cape York and home. That journey was over 10 weeks.

This is just one of his many adventures since obtaing a Land Rover and a licence in 1975. On another occassion he crossed the Simpson Desert twice -including the Madigan Line – alone in a Range Rover Sport! The Madigan Line is a one way track across the Simpson Desert. It is over 700 km long and the oneway section is close to 500km.

Can you imagine driving for three days and not seeing an oncoming car, a footpath, kerb, shop, tree or even a fence post? Along most of the Madigan Line the only man made objects are metal star-posts to show where Madigan and his team camped almost a century ago. It is a totally surreal experience enjoying the ancient unspoilt desert. Sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, stars and clouds put on the best show ever! You simply cannot miss seeing these free shows of beauty!

Contact Steve now to find out how you can join him on his next expedition. He is currently preparing to lead a heap of tours in his safari business: “Australian 4×4 Expeditions”.

Email: Steve@landrovergenius.com 

Steve is a passionate Australian. His great grandfather rode the outback stock routes with Sir Sidney Kidman. Steve has always been a 4×4 enthusiast and car enthusiast. He has always been keen on the clever Land Rover vehicles as they have enabled him to explore outback tracks. He first crossed the Simpson and Gibson Desets alone in 1982 in a Series 2A Land Rover. He met Len Beadell, the world’s last great surveyor and explorere and has followed many of his outback roads. Steve loves the freedom to escape city life to see awesome and unforgetable sights.

Life is a great gift, a 4×4 is the best accessory, says Steve

Receive a FREE copy of Steve’s book when you register to talk with Steve about an Australian 4×4 Expedition.